Digital camera

ABSTRACT

A digital camera includes a communicator that communicates with other digital camera, a receiver that receives a camera information of another digital camera and an imaging device that forms a digital image of an object. The digital camera further includes a processor that creates a digital image data from the digital image based upon the camera information.

This is a Division of application Ser. No. 10/316,118 filed Dec. 11,2002. The disclosure of the prior application is hereby incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The disclosures of the following priority applications are hereinincorporated by reference:

Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-378430 filed on Dec. 12, 2001;

Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-378431 filed on Dec. 12, 2001; and

Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-378433 filed on Dec. 12, 2001.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a digital camera which creates an imagedata.

2. Description of Related Art

In this field of the art, there is a digital camera having a function totransmit/receive an image data to and from another digital cameraconnected hereto with a cable or a wireless. And a digital camera with afunction to transmit/receive can receive an image data and record it.But, a received image data is made up of an image size and a resolutionthat were created by a picture-taking digital camera and its size andresolution are different from those of an image data taken by a digitalcamera receiving an image. Therefore, in a case where a digital cameramanages an image data taken by another digital camera as an image takenby its self, it will cause troublesome.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to overcome the problems and disadvantages, the inventionprovides a digital camera including a communicator that communicateswith other digital camera, a receiver that receives a camera informationof another digital camera and an imaging device that forms a digitalimage of an object. The digital camera further includes a processor thatcreates a digital image data from the digital image based upon thecamera information.

According to another feature of this invention, a digital cameraincludes a communicator that communicates with another digital cameraand a receiver that receives a digital image data from another digitalcamera. The digital camera further includes a processor that creates adigital image file from the digital image data based upon an imageformat information.

According to still another feature of the invention, a digital cameraincludes a communicator that communicates with another digital camera areceiver that receives a digital image data from another digital camera.The digital camera further includes a processor that processes thedigital image data received form another camera like a digital imagedata taken by the own digital camera.

According to a further feature of the invention, a digital cameraincludes a recording memory selector that selects a plurality of memory,a image format selector that selects an image format information eachthe memory and an imaging device that forms a digital image of anobject. The digital camera further includes a processor that creates aplurality of digital image data from the digital image based upon theimage format information.

According to still further feature of the invention, a digital cameraincludes an imaging device that forms a digital image of an object, acommunicator that communicates with other digital camera and a receiverthat receivers an information refer of another digital camera. Thedigital camera further includes a comparator that compares a performanceof this digital camera with a performance of another digital camera.

Other feature and advantages according to the invention will be readilyunderstood from the detailed description of the preferred embodiments inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of an imagedata management system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an interior configuration of digitalcamera 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exterior appearance of digital camera1.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a transmission operation to be executed indigital camera 1.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of an image data record operation to be executedin digital camera 1.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of an operation to be executed in digital camera1.

FIG. 7 is a drawing to show a screen sample of a setting screen to setfor recording an image data after shot in a plurality of recordingmedia.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of a record operation to be executed in digitalcamera 1.

FIG. 9 is a drawing to show a display sample of a guide information.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of an operation to be executed in digital camera1.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart of an operation to be executed in servercomputer 2.

FIG. 12 is a drawing to show a display sample of an album page.

FIG. 13 is a drawing to show a display sample of an album page.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart of an operation to be executed in servercomputer 2.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart of an operation to be executed in digital camera1.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart to explain processing to create a filename andtitle to be performed in server computer 2.

FIG. 17 is a flow chart of an operation to be executed in digital camera1.

FIG. 18 is a flow chart of an operation to be executed in servercomputer 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An embodiment of an image data management system in accordance with thisinvention is explained as below.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the system configuration of an imagedata management system. The system of this invention comprises digitalcameras 1 and 3 and server computers 2 and 4. Digital camera 1 andserver computer 2 are electrically connected to each other through anetwork such as the Internet or so. Similarly, digital camera 3 andserver computer 4 are electrically connected to each other through anetwork such as the Internet or so. In order that digital cameras 1 and3 can communicate with server computers 2 and 4 via the Internet, aninternet provider is necessary, but as it has nothing to do with thisinvention, an explanation of an internet provider is omitted here.Though FIG. 1 shows a system using Internet, this system may be realizedby means of a network like LAN (stands for Local Area Network) orextranet or so. Digital cameras 1 and 3 can be electrically connected toeach other via a wireless communication such like LAN, a blue truth oran Infrared communication. Digital camera 1 creates an image data madeup of a digital data by photographing a subject. And digital camera 1 isconnected to the Internet with a wireless or a cable, communicates withserver computer 2 and transmits a created image data to server computer2. Details of digital camera 1 are explained later by referring to FIG.2. As digital camera 3 is the same as digital camera 1, an explanationof digital camera 3 is also omitted here.

Server computer 2 is a server including an image storage unit capable ofstoring an image data transmitted from digital camera 1. Server computer2 has a database of information about interesting spots of sightseeing,theme parks and a map information and provides a web site to distributeinformation as a guide information. As server computer 4 is the same asserver computer 2, server computer 4's explanation is omitted.

An inside configuration of digital camera 1 is explained as below. FIG.2 is a function block diagram showing an inside configuration of digitalcamera 1. Digital camera 1 is provided with CPU 101, communicationcircuit 102, monitor 103, switching circuit 104, built-in memory 105,memory card slot 106, image processing circuit 107 and GPS circuit 108.But, it is a matter of course that in addition to the above, variouscircuits such as an imaging sensor and so forth are used. But, sincethey have nothing to do with this invention, the explanations of themare omitted.

CPU 101 manages circuits built in digital camera 1 and all operations ofdigital camera 1. Communication circuit 102 is connected to a networksuch as the Internet or so with a cable or a wireless and the one thattransmits/receives a signal via a network such as the Internet. Digitalcamera 1 communicates with server computer 2 and other digital camerasvia communication circuit 102. Monitor 103 is made up of LCD panel or soand displays a photographed image, a menu, a warning and so on.Switching circuit 104 is electrically connected to various buttons andswitches provided in digital camera 1 and the one that detects theoperations of various buttons and switches.

Built-in memory 105 is the one to hold a program data such as a firmwareor so to control digital camera 1. Besides a program data, built-inmemory 105 holds various kinds of data such as a site information or so.Memory card slot 106 writes in a photographed image data on a memorycard in use. Image processing circuit 107 executes an image processingon an image data generated from an imaging sensor and also on an imagedata transmitted from other digital cameras. GPS circuit 108 is the oneto detect a position information.

Next, Operating units/buttons and the like provided in digital camera 1are explained. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exterior appearance ofdigital camera 1. Digital camera 1 is provided with monitor 103, shutterrelease button 111, communication button 110 and dial 112. Explanationsof other units are omitted although they are also provided.

Shutter release button 111 is the one for use in shooting. Communicationbutton 110 is the one used to start communication with another digitalcamera. Shutter release button functions as a two-way switch with ahalfway and a full depression. Dial 112 is the one to select a parameterwhen various settings are set.

Via an operation of a button and/or a dial, various settings becomepossible. Digital camera 3 is also provided with the same functions andoperating buttons/dial of digital camera 1. An operation of a digitalcamera in accordance with this invention is explained.

In a case where you want to take a picture (an image data) of you beinga subject with your friend on a trip, for example, a third person isasked to release a shutter on behalf of you. In this case, if a thirdperson takes the pictures respectively with each different digitalcamera which you and your friend(s) carries, each taken image data isrecorded on each memory of digital cameras. And when a taken image datahas been set to be transmitted to server computer 2, it will betransmitted to a given folder in a memory of server computer 2. However,when you need an image data that a subject to be taken is all members ofa group, it would take much time to finish shooting as a picture must betaken with each camera and it might cause a third person lots ofworkload.

In a case where an image data of plural people as a subject wasphotographed with a single digital camera, they will be able to obtainan image data by transmitting or downloading it via a terminal such as acamera, a PC and so after getting home or at a staying hotel and so on.But, bits of operation skills to transmit or download are necessary,which might also become cumbersome.

A digital camera in accordance with the embodiment of this invention, inthese cases, automatically transmits an image data to another digitalcamera of the other person when a digital camera takes a picture. Anoperation to transmit an image data to another digital camera isexplained below. Specifically, an embodiment of an operation to transmitan image data from digital camera 1 to digital camera 3 is explained.FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a transmitting operation to be executed indigital camera 1. A flow of FIG. 4 starts when digital camera 1 iselectrically connected to digital camera 3 of a receiving end in a stateof being capable of communicating with digital camera 3 by a wireless.According to this embodiment, by operating a button corresponding tocommunication button 110 of digital camera 1 respectively, communicationstarts between each digital camera.

In step S101, digital camera 1 starts communication with digital camera3 of a receiving end and detects information about a camera maker, aproduct model and so on. In step S102, it is detected if digital camera3 is the same model of digital camera 1 and if yes, a flow proceeds tostep S103 and if not, a flow proceeds to step S104.

In step S103, when digital camera 3 is the same model of digital camera1, a RAW data is set to be transmitted. A RAW data is an image-recordingmethod that an imaging data generated from an imaging sensor is recordedas an image data almost as it is. A RAW data has no versatility since amethod of a RAW data depends on a maker. Thus, as it is impossible toreproduce a RAW data with a different camera maker and a differentmodel, a processing of a size change, compression and so can not beexecuted on an image data.

The reason why a RAW data is transmitted is that an image processing canbe executed on a non-degraded image data by transmitting a RAW data tothe same digital camera. In step S104, it is detected if digital camera3 is a model capable of reading out a picture-taking setting informationand if yes, a flow proceeds to step S105 and if not, a flow proceeds tostep S107. A model capable of reading out a picture-taking settinginformation is a digital camera that is so designed beforehand as toenable to read out a picture-taking setting information. In step S105, apicture-taking setting information of digital camera 3 is retrieved andan operation to transmit an image data according to the retrievedpicture-taking setting is set.

In step S106, an image data with a predetermined image size and acompression ratio is set to be transmitted. In step S107, it is detectedif a picture was taken and if yes, a flow proceeds to step S108 and ifnot, detection continues. In step S108, an image data is created inaccordance with an established picture-taking setting. In step S109, animage data is transmitted to digital camera 3. In step S110, an imagedata is created in accordance with a picture-taking setting of digitalcamera 1 itself. In step S111, a created image data is recorded on amemory according to a setting.

In this way, a received image data is compressed according to apicture-taking setting and a compressed image data is recorded on amemory card and transmitted to server computer 2. When connected digitalcamera 3 is the same model of digital camera 1, as an image processingsuch as a compression and so becomes unnecessary in digital camera 1 bytransmitting a RAW data to digital camera 3, a processing workload ofdigital camera 1 can be reduced. An image data created for digitalcamera 1 itself can be set to be transmitted to server computer 2, notto be recorded in digital camera 1.

In the above embodiment, a digital camera will create an image data thatis going to be recorded in the digital camera taking a picture aftertransmitting an image data, an image data may be transmitted aftercreating the image data to be recorded in the digital camera.

And next, an operation to record an image data transmitted from anotherdigital camera, for example, digital camera 3 on a memory of digitalcamera 1 or to automatically transmit an image data to server computer 2is explained. FIG. 5 is a flow chart of an image data record-operationto be executed in digital camera 1. A flow of FIG. 5 starts when digitalcamera 1 detects transmission of an image data from digital camera 3.

In step S201, an image data is received. A received image data istemporarily stored into built-in memory 105. In step S202, it isdetected if reception of an image data is finished and if yes, a flowproceeds to step S203 and if not, a flow heads back to step S201.

In step S203, an image size change and compression are processed on areceived image data in accordance with an image size change andcompression determined by a picture-taking setting of digital camera 1.And a thumbnail image of a received image data is created and is storedinto built-in memory 105.

In step S204, a title and a filename added to a received image data arechanged according to a setting of digital camera 1. In step S205, areceived image data is displayed on monitor 103. In step S206, it isdetected if transfer of a received image data outside is set and if yes,a flow proceeds to step S207 and if not, a flow proceeds to step S209.

In step S207, an image data is transferred to server computer 2. In stepS208, it is detected if transfer of an image data is finished and ifyes, a flow proceeds to step S210 and if not, a flow heads back to stepS207 and a transfer processing of an image continues.

In step S209, an image data is recorded on a memory card inserted intomemory card slot 106. In step S210, by deleting an image displayed onmonitor 103, it is noticed that a recording is ended. Or, a record-endmessage may be displayed respectively with each recording media.

Like this, by recording an image data according to a record setting setby digital camera 1 at a time of shooting, even a transmitted image datacan be recorded with the same image size and compression ratio as thoseof an image data taken by digital camera 1. And in a case where an imagedata is transmitted from digital camera 3 to server computer 2,information about a connecting end and an authentication information andso to thereby connect to server computer 2 and thereby record an imagedata must be set. But, as in the above, by controlling a transmissionvia digital camera 1 itself, an image data can be transmitted to servercomputer 2 with ease in accordance with information about a connectingend and an authentication registered in digital camera 1. And, as thereis no necessity to set an authentication information or the like indigital camera 3, an authentication information or the like registeredin digital camera 1 can be prevented from leaking.

Also, by storing a thumbnail image of an image data transmitted toserver computer 2 into built-in memory 105 in digital camera 1, asummary of an image data transmitted to server computer 2 can beconfirmed without gaining access to server computer 2.

As described in the above, by operating a button or the like of anothercamera corresponding to communication button 110 of digital camera 1 ina same way as operated in digital camera 1, information about apicture-taking setting of another party's digital camera becomesautomatically set to be read out and also an image data becomesautomatically set to be transmitted to another party's digital camera.It is not necessary to set which digital camera is used to take apicture, transmits an image data and receives it. An image data iscontrolled to be transmitted from a digital camera taking a picture to adigital camera not taking.

In the meantime, a digital camera to transmit an image data and adigital camera for receiving it may be set respectively. And an imagedata taken by one digital camera may be set to be recorded on bothdigital cameras and an image data taken by one digital camera may be setto be recorded only on another digital camera.

When shooting, a use of a digital camera ensuring a high-quality imagedata is recommended. Because an image data taken by a camera of qualityensuring an image data of high image quality can be downgraded to animage data shot by a digital camera of low quality, but can not viceversa.

When a camera is set in a transmission mode, by performing again anoperation to set a camera in a transmission mode, a transmission modecan be set off. An operation in a transfer mode is concretely explainedbelow. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an operation to be executed in digitalcamera 1. A flow of FIG. 6 starts by operating a button for transferprovided in digital camera 1. Suppose that digital camera 1 communicateswith digital camera 3.

In step S301, it is detected if a communication of digital camera 1 withdigital camera 3 is established and if yes, a flow proceeds to step S302and if not, detection continues. In step S302, a picture-taking settingset in digital camera 3 is retrieved. In step S303, an image data is setto be created according to a retrieved picture-taking setting and acreated image data is set to be transferred to digital camera 3.

In step S304, which camera is superior in quality, digital camera 3 or 1is judged and when digital camera 1 is judged to be superior, a flowends and when digital camera 3 is judged to be superior, a flow proceedsto step S305. For example, a criterion to judge superiority herein is anumber of a pixel of an imaging sensor. In step S305, it is set todisplay a message on LCD panel 103 in a picture-taking mode saying thata use of a digital camera of the communicating partner can ensure animage data of higher image quality.

As controlled in the above, a taken image data can be so set as to beautomatically transferred to digital camera 3. In a digital camera ofthe above embodiment, with a simple operation only, an image data isautomatically transferred to other digital camera. A digital camera ofthe embodiment, which is explained next, can set to record an image dataobtained by one shot on two different memories and over. Further, it canset an image size and a resolution of an image data for each memory onwhich an image data will be recorded.

Now, a record-setting operation of digital camera 1 is explained. FIG. 7is a diagram showing a screen sample of setting for recording an imagedata on plural media. A setting screen shown in FIG. 7 is displayed onmonitor 103 of digital camera 1.

In a “Recording medium” of FIG. 7, a memory card inserted into a digitalcamera, other digital camera, a server computer and the like on which aphotographed image data is recorded are enumerated, wherein a recordablemedium is listed. In a “Recorded”, a medium on which an image data willbe recorded can be set by Yes and No. An image data will be recorded ona medium with Yes while it won't be recorded on an No-marked medium.

In a “Method” of FIG. 7, that is, a file method of an image data can beset respectively on each recordable medium. A recording file method torecord an image data, such as a JPEG method, non-compression, a RAW dataand so on is selected and a selected method is set. With regard to a“Size” of FIG. 7, an image size of an image data to be recorded can beset respectively on each recordable medium. A compression ratio whichwill perform a processing of compression on an image data can be alsoset respectively on each recordable medium.

These settings get done via an operation of a button and a dial ofdigital camera 1. Digital camera 1 creates an image data in compliancewith contents of a setting determined at each recording medium andmanages a transmission of a created image data so as to be recorded on aplurality of recording medium.

To have an image data recorded on a plurality of recording medium, anoperation to be executed in digital camera 1 is explained. FIG. 8 is aflow chart showing a record operation to be executed in digital camera1. A flow of FIG. 8 starts by detecting a full depression of shutterrelease button 111.

In step S401, a taken image data is stored into built-in memory 105. Instep S402, a record-setting information of a recording medium isretrieved. In step S403, it is detected if an external memory isselected as a recording medium and if yes, a flow proceeds to step S408.

In step S404, it is detected if an external memory is recordable and ifyes, a flow proceeds to step S405 and if not, a flow proceeds to stepS407. In step S405, an image data is created in accordance with arecord-setting of an external receiving end. In step S406, a createdimage data is transmitted and monitor 103 displays that an image data isbeing transmitted. In step S407, a receiving end to which an image datacan not be transmitted and a message saying that an image data can notbe transmitted are displayed on monitor 103.

In step S408, it is detected if a memory card is selected as a recordingmedium and if yes, a flow proceeds to step S409 and if not, a flow ends.In step S409, an image data is created in compliance with arecord-setting of a memory card. In step S410, a created image data isrecorded on a memory card. Also, a description saying that a createdimage data is recorded on a memory card is displayed on monitor 103.

In the above operation, an external receiving end to which an image datais transmitted is asked if a recording medium is recordable afterphotographing, but it may be asked before photographing. In this way, bymaking it possible to set each record-setting against a plurality of thereceiving ends, an image size and a compression ratio of an image datanecessary at a receiving end can be set and then an image data can berecorded accordingly on each recording medium in accordance with eachestablished record-setting. This operation can prevent an image datafrom wastefully degrading as a once-compressed image data is extendedand the extended image data is not compressed again after change of animage size.

A guide information view function of digital camera 1 is explained.Digital camera 1 is provided with a view function to show a guideinformation on monitor 103. A guide information provides informationabout interesting spots in a theme park and a sightseeing, maps and soon and is stored into server computer 2 and is sent to digital camera 1via the Internet. Or, not via the Internet, for example, a guideinformation has been recorded beforehand on a memory card to be insertedinto memory card slot 106 and a recorded memory card may becomeavailable. A memory card recorded with a guide information may bemarketed for sale or given away free to a participant by a tourist firm.Or by not providing a memory card recorded with a guide information, aguide information may be downloaded for pay. According to this onlineservice, a guide information may be used even in a digital camera withno function to thereby gain access to the Internet.

Digital camera 1 is provided with a picture-taking mode to take apicture, a reproduction mode to reproduce a taken image data and a guidemode to view a guide information. Digital camera 1 shows a guideinformation on monitor 103 when set in a guide mode. A guide informationis the one that is written in HTML method, and browsing software to viewa guide information is stored in digital camera 1. FIG. 9 illustrates anexample of a guide information. In text column 901 of FIG. 9,information about interesting spots and so forth appears by a text andin image column 902, an image information about a photo, an illustrationand the like appears.

And by depressing halfway shutter release button 111 when digital camera1 is set in a guide mode, a guide mode of digital camera 1 isautomatically changed over to a picture-taking mode. Thus, we don't missa point of a shutter release. Also, a sightseeing guide informationusable during a trip is stored into server computer 2, which provides aguide information and an image data storage service for enabling a userto store a taken image data.

Via a digital camera, a guide information can be viewed by retrieving itfrom server computer 2, and a traveler can go sightseeing by referringto a guide information. Server computer 2 receives a GPS informationoutput by GPS built in digital camera and automatically sends a guideinformation according to the received GPS information to digital camera1. Also, by not automatic distribution, it may be possible to specify anecessary guide information and have the specified information send.

Digital camera 1 can store a taken image data by relating it to a guideinformation. By this relation, details of an image data such as apicture-taken place, date/time etc can be available by referring to arelated guide information without taking a time to create a filename anda title of an image data each time.

An operation of digital camera 1 is explained. Taking an example, when aguide information about the Tokyo Eiffel Tower is viewed and shutterrelease button 111 is depressed halfway, a screen on monitor 103 ischanged over to an image data generated by an imaging sensor from aguide information. When a picture is taken, a page data looking as if animage data is pasted into a guide information on view shortly before ashot was taken is created. Or, a filename of an image data relating to atitle of a guide information is created.

For example, in a guide information written by HTML method, aHTML-method image data pasted in a guide information is replaced with ataken image data. And then, a created HTML-method image data is recordedinto a folder of digital camera 1.

And, a tourist attendant amends an itinerary if it is changed. Anamendment is made at a unit of a minute. Thus, after shot, a photo albumcan be edited by referring to an itinerary and a date/time informationof a taken picture. An operation about a guide information is concretelyexplained.

An operation to be executed in digital camera 1 is explained. FIG. 10 isa flow chart showing an operation to be executed in digital camera 1. Aflow of FIG. 10 starts when a camera is set in a guide mode. In stepS501, it is detected if a position information detected by a GPS remainsunchanged and if a change is detected, a flow proceeds to step S502 andif not, detection continues.

In step S502, a GPS information is sent to server computer 2. In stepS503, a guide information is received from server computer 2. In stepS504, the received guide information is displayed on monitor 103. And instep S505, it is detected if shutter release button 111 is depressedhalfway and if yes, a flow proceeds to step S506 and if not, a flowheads back to step S501.

In step S506, a guide information displayed on monitor 103 is changed toan image data output by an imaging sensor. In step S507, it is detectedif shutter release button 111 is fully depressed and if yes, a flowproceeds to step S509 and if not, a flow proceeds to step S508. In stepS508, it is detected if a half-depression of shutter release button 111is cancelled and if yes, a flow proceeds to step S501 and if not, a flowgets back to step S507.

In step S509, an image processing is executed in accordance with apicture-taking setting. In step S510, an image data created by an imageprocessing is transferred to server computer 2. An operation to beexecuted in server computer 2 is explained. FIG. 11 is a flow chartshowing an operation to be executed in server computer 2. A flow of FIG.11 starts by detecting a transmission of a GPS information from digitalcamera 1.

In step S601, a GPS information is received. In step S602, a guideinformation corresponding to a GPS information is retrieved. In stepS603, the retrieved guide information is transmitted to digital camera1. In step S604, it is detected if an image data is received and if yes,a flow proceeds to step S605 and if not, a flow gets back to step S601.In step S605, a received image data is recorded. In step S606, an imagedata created by HTML method on the page of a guide information isreplaced with an image data received from digital camera 1. Moreconcretely, the contents of a text in text column 901 on the page of aguide information illustrated by FIG. 9 remain the same, but an image inimage column 902 is replaced with an image data gained by a picturetaking. FIG. 12 shows a display example of an album page. In text column1201 of FIG. 12, a text in text column 901 of FIG. 9 is appeared as itis and in image column 1202, an image data in image column 902 of FIG. 9is replaced with a gained image data.

In a case where a plurality of pictures are taken at a spot of a guideinformation appearing with a single image data, a plurality of picturesmay be so edited as to appear in a guide information although a layoutof the guide information may change. Also, it may be set in such a waythat each image data to appear in image column 1302 are scaled down inaccordance with a number of pictures and a plurality of scaled-downimage data appear therein without changing a layout.

And server computer 2 does not determine a guide information to betransmitted to digital camera 1 based upon a GPS information, but candetermine a guide information in compliance with a user's itinerary ofdigital camera 1. As server computer 2 stores an itinerary information,it distributes a guide information based on an itinerary information anda time schedule information. Namely, a guide information is set to bedistributed at a time when a user on a trip in accordance with anitinerary badly needs a guide. For example, in a case where a user isscheduled to end a tour to the Imperial Palace at three in the afternoonand visit the Tokyo Eiffel Tower from 3:30 PM, a distribution of a guideinformation about the Tokyo Eiffel Tower is set at 3:30 PM. And as theremay be no time to gain information about the Tokyo Eiffel Tower ahead of3:30 PM distribution, a distribution may be set at twenty minutes pastthree in the afternoon or 3:00 PM at which a tour to the Imperial Palacewill be ended. When an itinerary deviates from the original one orchanges, a tour attendant and the like can respond to a deviation or achange by adjusting an itinerary via a terminal.

An operation to transmit a guide information according to an itineraryis explained. An itinerary information has been recorded beforehand on amemory in a state of being related to a guide information. FIG. 14 is aflow chart of an operation to be executed in server computer 2.

In step S701, an itinerary is monitored and it is detected if it is timeto transmit a guide information and if yes, a flow proceeds to step S702and if not, detection continues. In step S702, a camera informationabout a user's digital camera registered in response to an itinerary isread out. A digital camera registered in response to an itinerary is theone that a user participating in a trip carries with him or her. At stepS703, a guide information fit for an itinerary is read out andtransmitted to digital camera 1. In step S704, it is detected if animage data is received and if yes, a flow proceeds to step S705 and ifnot, a flow gets back to step S701. In step S705, an image data of aguide information which was transmitted shortly while ago is replacedwith a received image data.

Server computer 2 performs processing on not only a single digitalcamera, but also plural cameras to respond to a plurality of digitalcameras. Also, by not transmitting a guide information to a digitalcamera automatically in accordance with a GPS information and anitinerary, an attendant and so may transmit a guide information to eachdigital camera manually.

Next, an operation to create a filename and a title of an image dataautomatically by referring to a guide information in digital camera 1 isexplained. In digital camera 1, for example, when a guide informationabout the Tokyo Eiffel Tower had been viewed until a picture was taken,a filename of a taken image data is named as tokyotower001 or so and animage data is titled as a Tokyo Eiffel Tower.

A more concrete operation for creation of a filename and a title of ataken image data is explained as below. FIG. 15 is a flow chart showingan operation to be executed in digital camera 1. A flow starts when animage processing ends. In step S801, a title part of a guide informationviewed shortly before a picture was taken is extracted. In step S802, atitle of a guide information is created as a title of a taken imagedata. In step S803, a filename of the taken image data is created insuch a way that a serial number is added to a title of a guideinformation. The reason why a serial number is put is to prevent fromcreating the same filenames when plural shots are taken at the sameplace. In step S804, by putting a filename and a title to an image data,the image data is recorded on a memory card.

When a taken image data is recorded into server computer 2, processingto create a filename and a title is explained.

First, an operation of server computer 2 is explained. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a processing to create a filename and a title to beexecuted in server computer 2.

In step S901, a guide information is transmitted to digital camera 1.Server computer 2 always transmits to digital camera 1 a necessary guideinformation right now about a sightseeing spot. In step S902, it isdetected if an image data is received from digital camera 1. If yes, aflow proceeds to step S903 and if not, a flow gets back to step S901.

In step S903, it is detected if reception of an image data is finished.If yes, a flow proceeds to step S904 and if not, detection continues. Instep S904, a filename and a title of a received image data are analyzed.In step S905, it is detected if a filename and a title of an image dataare created from a guide information. If yes, a flow proceeds to stepS906 and if not, a flow proceeds to step S907. In step S906, withoutchange of a title, a serial number of a filename is so changed as no tobe the same number of other filename.

In step S907, a guide information, which has been transmitted to digitalcamera 1 before shooting, is retrieved. In step S908, a filename and atitle are created based on a retrieved information. In step S909, animage data is recorded into a given folder registered in digital camera1

As stated in the above, with regard to a guide information about asightseeing spot provided by server computer 2, any of informationresponding to a request from digital camera 1 or in accordance with anitinerary or manually transmitted by an tour attendant and the like maybe accepted. Next, an operation of digital camera 1 is explained. FIG.17 is a flow chart of an operation to be executed in digital camera 1. Aflow starts by detecting a full depression of shutter release button 111provided in digital camera 1.

In step S1001, a picture taking is executed and an image data iscreated. In step S1002, a specific information to specify a guideinformation received from server computer 2 ahead of shooting isextracted. In step S1003, an image data and a specific information abouta guide information are transmitted to server computer 2. In step S1004,it is detected if information about a filename, address of a recordeddata and so on to thereby gain access to a transmitted image data isreceived. If yes, a flow proceeds to step S1005 and if not, detectioncontinues. In step S1005, an access information is recorded intobuilt-in memory 105.

Like this, by receiving information to gain access to a transmittedimage data and storing it into digital camera 1, an image datatransmitted by digital camera 1 may be accessed with easy. Andinformation transmitted from server computer 2 is not only a guideinformation about an interesting spot and the like, but also anadmission ticket information, a transportation ticket information, ahotel room key information, various discount coupon information and soforth. Admission becomes possible by carrying digital camera 1 or acellular phone with a distributed ticket information and/or showing thedistributed ticket information via a monitor screen or having thedistributed ticket information read. Also, a ticket information is nottransmitted from server computer 2, but a necessary ticket informationhas been recorded into a memory card beforehand and the like, and arecorded memory card may be made available for sale.

An operation to transmit a ticket information is explained. A ticketinformation and a transportation ticket information are transmittedrespectively in accordance with an itinerary and a GPS information.Therefore, even if digital camera 1 was lost, information will not betransmitted thereto unless a user goes to the spot and at the timespecified by an itinerary or a GPS and thus, an abuse can not becommitted with ease. A measurement to cancel a distribution at the timeof a loss of digital camera 1 can prevent someone from usinginformation.

By respective distribution in accordance with an itinerary and a GPSinformation, a memory capacity of a camera is not wasted due to a ticketinformation. A distributed ticket information is related to a ticket,that is, an already-purchased ticket and a reserved one. In addition, Aticket information about recommending an advance ticket purchase or aticket necessary on the spot may be distributed.

A concrete operation to distribute a ticket information and the like isexplained. FIG. 18 is a flowchart of an operation to be executed inserver computer 2. In step S1101, a GPS information and an itineraryinformation are analyzed. In step S1102, from a result of an analysis,it is judged if a ticket information must be distributed. If yes, a flowproceeds to step S1103 and if not, a flow gets back to step S1101. Instep S1103, a necessary ticket information is extracted from a result ofan analysis. In step S1104, the extracted ticket information isdistributed to digital camera 1.

In the above operation, distribution of a ticket information isexplained, but both of information about a ticket and a guide may bedistributed at a time although a separate distribution is possible. Inthis case, a page of a guide information in which a ticket informationis embedded may be distributed or a separate page may be distributedsimultaneously. In this case, with no specific operation to distribute aticket information and by distributing a ticket information with a givenguide information, a determining of distribution time becomes enough.

In the above embodiment, a ticket information is distributed based uponboth of a GPS information and an itinerary information, but a ticketinformation may be separately distributed based on either a GPS or anitinerary information. Or a distribution time of a ticket informationmay be determined based on another information other than a GPS and anitinerary information.

1. A digital camera comprising: a communicator that communicates withanother digital camera and receives digital image data from the anotherdigital camera; and a processor that creates a digital image file fromthe digital image data based upon image format information from thedigital camera that receives the digital image data.
 2. The digitalcamera according to claim 1, wherein the communicator receives a rawimage data corresponding to an output produced from an imaging sensor.3. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the image formatinformation includes at least one of image size information, imageresolution information or image compression ration information.
 4. Adigital camera comprising: a communicator that communicates with anotherdigital camera and receives digital image data from the another digitalcamera in a non-degraded form; and a processor that processes thenon-degraded digital image data received from the another digital cameraas if the digital image data had been taken by the digital camera thatreceives the digital image data.
 5. The digital camera according toclaim 4, wherein the processor creases a digital image file from thedigital image data based upon image format information.
 6. The digitalcamera according to claim 1, wherein the communicator receives raw imagedata from the another digital camera that has not been degraded.
 7. Thedigital camera according to claim 4, wherein the communicator receivesraw image data corresponding to an output produced from an imagingsensor.